It is not who you attend school with, but who controls the school you attend. --Nikki Giovanni
University School carries out its mission, to model the best educational practices in an environment that represents the metropolitan region’s cultural and ethnic tapestry, with the support and direction of the Board of Trustees.
The Board authorized creation of the Office of Multicultural Affairs to help guide, sustain and advance this aspect of USN’s mission. Office services include the development of policies and programs that recognize the intrinsic strength and value in a faculty, staff and student populations composed of different ethnicities, races, abilities, communication patterns, religions and other cultural markers. Community outreach, professional development, parent education and faculty and student support activities are also available through the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The Office of Multicultural Affairs, part of University School of Nashville’s general administrative structure, adheres to the NAIS Principles of Good Practice of Equity and Justice is staffed by a full-time director, Caroline G. Blackwell, MSW.
Strategic Priority: A Multicultural School Climate
In 2001, the Board of Trustees approved a new Strategic Plan that identified the building and sustaining of a multicultural school climate as one of six strategic priorities for the school. Affirming that all members of the USN community “are all enriched by the opportunity to learn with people of different backgrounds” the board authorized the drafting of a comprehensive plan that clearly articulates the breadth of USN’s commitment to diversity and “outlines methods by which progress in that area will be measured.”
Over 18 months, faculty, staff and administrators crafted the strategic document, Planning and Assessing Multicultural Goals and Inclusion at University School of Nashville. Following review by the Education Policies Committee of the Board of Trustees, the plan was unanimously endorsed by the Board in April 2006. The plan sets forth goals and objectives for advancing both the quantitative and qualitative markers of a culturally robust, and intentionally safe, expansive learning community.
In addition to the strategic plan, University School also adheres to the following policies:
Non-discrimination
University School of Nashville provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants without regard to their race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
Harassment Policy
In keeping with USN’s values, the Board has also adopted a clear ban on sexual harassment. The policy prohibits harassment of employees, contractors, service providers and “other individuals who are present on the premises of University School…in any form in its educational programs and activities, including employment” and offers a detailed process for addressing any grievance.
Religious Observances
University School’s educational mission recognizes the vital importance of teaching and modeling respect for differing values and beliefs. In fact, the school encourages teaching about various religious, spiritual and ethical systems in appropriate courses and content areas, including recognition of religious and cultural holidays for non-sectarian, non-devotional purposes.
To guide this practice, all agents of the school are prohibited from directly or indirectly endorsing or appearing to endorse any particular religion. Student-organized religious event may not include “non-school affiliated participants” and will be appropriately supervised by faculty or administration to ensure this guideline is followed (Board of Trustees, 2000.)
